Background
On March 16, 2021, the City Manager delivered a report to City Council entitled Affordable Housing: Recommendations. This report detailed the role and functions the City performs within the spaces of housing production and finance. In addition, the report presented actionable recommendations, both legislative and administrative, designed to substantially increase and encourage affordable housing development and preservation in the City.
On April 14, 2021, City Council passed Ordinance 121-2021. “Designating the Housing Advisory Board to (i) establish the City’s affordable housing policy priorities, including with respect to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and related capital improvement program project accounts, and (ii) advise the City’s third-party administrator of the affordable housing loan pool of such priorities; and further MODIFYING Section 209-7 of the Cincinnati Municipal Code to clarify that the role of the Housing Advisory Board includes establishment of the City of Cincinnati’s affordable housing policy priorities.”
History of the Housing Advisory Board
Previously, the City’s Community Development Advisory Board (CDAB) served as the City’s Housing Advisory Board. As part of a comprehensive affordable housing strategy, the City Administration recommended utilizing a separate Housing Advisory Board. Following such recommendation, City Council further clarified the role of the City’s Housing Advisory Board.
The Affordable Housing Trust Fund, or Fund 439, was established by Ordinance 364-2018 in December of 2018. The Affordable Housing Trust Fund also consists of capital appropriations related to the City’s short-term rental excise tax, donations, and most recently, a portion of the City’s American Rescue Plan funds, and in the event of a budget surplus, general fund dollars up to $5 million annually. In accordance with the City Administration’s recommendations and City Council legislation, the City is currently:
- Applying for a Section 108 loan to finance a loan fund specifically targeting affordable housing preservation and development.
- Partnering with Cincinnati Development Fund to leverage the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Role of the Advisory Board
The Cincinnati Housing Advisory Board shall perform all the duties and responsibilities of a housing advisory board as set forth in the Ohio Revised Code, including, without limitation, (i) establishing the affordable housing policy priorities of the City of Cincinnati, and (ii) to advise the City manager on the allocation of federal, state, and local resources for affordable housing development, including, without limitation, the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund and related capital improvement program project accounts. The Advisory Board shall:
- Review and advise upon the City’s comprehensive plans for the preservation and development of affordable housing.
- Review the City’s planned appropriations to affordable housing programs.
- Only serve in an advisory capacity.
Members
- Roxanne Qualls, Chair, former Cincinnati Council Member, and Mayor
- Term: September 15, 2021 – September 15, 2025
- Chairperson Term: March 23, 2022 – March 23, 2023
- Arlene Nolan, Executive Director of Shelterhouse
- Term: September 15, 2021 – September 15, 2025
- Greg Johnson, CEO of Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Term: September 15, 2021 – September 15, 2025
- Sister Sally Duffy, Sisters of Charity
- Term: September 15, 2021 – September 15, 2025
- Bobby Maly, CEO, and Principal, The Model Group
- Term: September 15, 2021 – September 15, 2025
- Steve Leeper, President, and CEO, 3CDC
- Term: September 15, 2021 – September 15, 2025
- James Watkins, President, TriVersity Construction
- Term: September 15, 2021 – September 15, 2025
- Brendon Cull, Executive Vice President, and Chief Strategy Officer, USA Regional Chamber
- Term: September 22, 2021 – September 22, 2025
- Susan Thomas, National Tax Credit Lending team, Fifth Third Bank
- Term: October 6, 2021 – October 6, 2025
- Pastor Nelson Pierce, Jr., Senior Pastor of Beloved Community Church, and Organizing Manager at Democracy for America
- Term: March 23, 2022 – March 23, 2025
- Kristen Baker, Executive Director of LISC Greater Cincinnati
- Term: March 23, 2022 – March 23, 2025
- Kevin Hughes, Regional Managing Principal, Cushman & Wakefield
- Term: March 23, 2022 – March 23, 2025
- Cinnamon Pelly, Chief Operating Officer, Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
- Term: March 23, 2022 – March 23, 2025
- Reggie Harris, Council Member
- Term: March 23, 2022 – March 23, 2025
